3. Diagnostics

Introduction

PREPARE is a national programme set up by the Ministry of Health (MOH) to support and strengthen Singapore’s key research capabilities, translational platforms and expertise to develop tools, methods and products that can be tapped on to detect, respond to and contain future infectious disease threats. The National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID) serves as the administrative host of PREPARE.

PREPARE is funded by RIE2020 White Space under the Human Health and Potential domain and supports five co-operative programmes that focus on bringing researchers and clinicians together across institutions to enable expedited and more efficient translation and productisation. The strategic grant calls administered by PREPARE are designed to align to Singapore’s strategic plans to support epidemic preparedness and response.

The key objectives of the PREPARE Diagnostic Co-operative Programme are to integrate complementary, multi-disciplinary R&D capabilities and strengthen linkages along the entire diagnostic development pathway with the goal to curate and assemble cutting-edge diagnostic prototypes to support different priority use cases and prepare for future outbreaks.

Grant Information

We invite research proposals in the following areas of interest:

1. Point-of-Care Molecular Diagnostic Platforms

• Development of novel molecular diagnostic workflow, including but not limited to paper-based nucleic acid detection that offer scalable and affordable point-of-care testing solutions

• Development of novel enzymes towards improved diagnostics performance, including but not limited to:

  • Isothermal enzymes that perform at ambient temperature

  • Protocols/workflow that enhances the detection sensitivity and/or specificity of isothermal-based molecular detection
    

2. Real-Time Biosensing Platforms

• Development of biosensors for real-time detection of pathogens in clinical and environmental samples, based on but not limited to the application of silicon photonics and plasmonics
  

3. Sample Collection and/or Preparation to Facilitate Decentralized Testing

• Simple-to-use and rapid sample preparation workflows and/or protocols to facilitate point-of-care testing

• Simple and low-cost collection of respiratory droplets in breath aerosols for direct pathogen detection
  

4. Multiplexed Protein Detection Platforms

• Methodologies and technology solutions for the simultaneous detection of multiple protein-based analytes

Proposals should present strong scientific basis for the principle of technologies to be developed, proof-of-concept and other preliminary evidence that supports the research concept and clear articulation on the pain points that the envisioned technology intends to address, considering the latest research and market landscapes.

The scope of the proposal should focus on development of the proposed technology towards technology readiness level 4 or 5, with a verification of the proposed solution in lab and/or relevant application environment, at component and/or breadboard level.

Submission Guidelines

Complete the application form and submit the application package to PREPARE Grant Secretariat (PREPARE_Grants@ncid.sg) through the Host Institution’s Research Office by 03 January 2025, 5pm and include the following:

• The application package without signatures, including all pictures, tables, charts and various attachments in Word Document format.

• The application package with signatures, including all pictures, tables, charts and various attachments in PDF format.

PREPARE will not accept late or incomplete submissions. Submissions without endorsements from Reporting Officer (RO) / Head of Department (HOD) and Designated Division Endorsers will be rejected.

For enquiries, please reach out to PREPARE_Grants@ncid.sg.